The South African government offers financial support to vulnerable Africans with various grants to help them manage their expenses with the rising cost of living. One such grant is Social Relief Distress (SRD) for Africans, asylum seekers, refugees and special permit holders to help them financially when they are struggling with unemployment or lack of income.
SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) administers and manages SRD grants together with other grants. Africans who have been wondering about the next scholarship payout date can check the payout date here. SASSA has confirmed the SRD grant payment date for January 2025.
SASSA SRD R370 payment dates for January 2025
SRD grants initially appeared during the 2020 pandemic to help people who were losing their jobs or unable to earn enough to live decently. The subsidy helps households overcome the economic crisis, and now the Government has continued this assistance to help vulnerable groups.
The government increased SASSA grants earlier this year to match payments with rising inflation. SRD grants have also been increased from R350 to R370 to help eligible recipients combat the rising cost of living. SASSA processes the SRD grant during the last week of the payment month.
SRD recipients wondering about the payment date for January 2025 should know that the agency has confirmed the payment date. As confirmed by SASSA, the January 2025 SRD payment will be made between January 25 and January 31, 2025.
SASSA SRD R370 Eligibility Requirements
People living in the Republic of South Africa who meet the following eligibility requirements and have applied for SRD support can receive a payment:
- You can be a South African citizen or a South African permanent resident, a refugee, a special permit holder or an asylum seeker.
- The age criterion for granting SRD support is between 18 and 59 years.
- You have no source of income or assistance, are unemployed or have recently lost your job.
- You are not eligible for other SASSA grants, such as the Shield Support Grant.
- Additionally, your bank balance should not exceed R624 as this is for those without financial support.
How to check payment status SASSA SRD R370?
South Africans who have applied for an SRD R370 grant or are receiving a grant can check their SRD application and payment status to know whether they will receive a payment or not. SASSA SRD grantees can check their SRD status through multiple ways such as online, WhatsApp and many other ways.
SRD recipients can easily check the status online by following the steps below:
- First, you should review the official SASSA website at
- Then you need to enter your SRD application ID and registered mobile number on the given card.
- After entering the above information, click the Submit option to see the SASSA SRD status on your screen.
SRD status will also be available on WhatsApp, so you can also use the WhatsApp service. WhatsApp number for SRD status check is 0600 123 456, where you can ask about SRD status check and the authority will inform you about the status in chat.
What can you do if you do not receive the SRD R370 payment in the scheduled week?
SRD recipients who have applied and been approved for SRD R370 financial assistance but have not received their payment in the scheduled week must first take the following steps to ensure there is no mistake on your part:
- You must verify that the bank account you entered in your SRD application is valid and active;
- You have not entered invalid information in the SRD application or missed any SASSA notification.
- You are still eligible for the SASSA SRD grant or your SRD application will be refused.
Once you have checked the above option, you can contact SASSA via the helpline – 0800 60 1011 during working days or you can visit your nearest SASSA regional office to inquire about your SRD grant payment and a claim that may have delayed payment.
If there was a mistake by the competent authority, the Agency will reissue your payment or you can appeal SASSA’s decision on your SRD grant.
What do you have to do for SRD biometric identification?
With the January 2025 SASSA grant payment update, the agency introduced a new verification system to make the system fairer and more transparent for recipients. SASSA has launched a biometric verification system to verify identity and reduce fraudulent activity.
As of now, SRD applicants must go through a biometric verification system to get their grant approved. This system will ensure that only an individual who qualifies for a grant receives payment and people cannot defraud SASSA with different identities.
SRD recipients who have already applied and received payments do not need to do anything for verification as it is only required when you apply for the grant, however, if there is a problem with your application, the authority may opt for biometric verification.
People who have any questions about the new verification system can call the SASSA helpline and don’t have to worry that your payments for January 2025 will not be affected.
SASSA has announced the SRD grant payment dates for January 2025, SRD recipients should mark the dates and monitor their account to know if they have received the payment or not.
